Center for Deliberative Democracy Deliberative Polling ®

Deliberative Polling ®

Deliberative Polling is:

• A scientific form of public consultation

• A way to listen to the voice of the people after they have thought about an issue

• A way to achieve democratic legitimacy for intelligent public policy decisions

Why should Deliberative Polling be used to consult the public on energy policy?

Because the intelligent public policy decisions

reached by Deliberative Polling will carry

legitimacy in the public eye just as they have

been seen to be legitimate in the past by governments, advocacy groups, citizens and the

media.

• Decisions are made by a scientifically

selected sample which is representative of

the entire society.

• Decisions are made based on balanced

briefings and question & answer sessions

with balanced panels of experts.

This is because of three things:

• Decisions are made after discussion with good information.

Knowledge Gains

Time 1 Time 2 Difference

(CPL) Which Fuel Releases Most Emissions?

0.60 0.73 0.13

(CPL) What Agency Regulates Electric Rates?

0.25 0.75 0.50

(TU) Which Fuel is Used by Most Plants

0.17 0.56 0.39

Selected Knowledge Gains: (CPL)= Central Power and Light in Corpus Christi

(TU)= Texas Utilities in Dallas

2003 “By the people” Online Deliberative Poll

Percent supporting requiring higher mileage from cars, even if it means less powerful cars

65%74%

Before After

Illustrative Preference Changes

Average of 8 Utility Deliberative Polls Time 1 Time 2

Percentage willing to pay extra for increased 52% 84%wind and solar power

52%

84%

Time 1 Time 2

$0.00

$1.00

$2.00

$3.00

$4.00

$5.00

$6.00

$7.00

RenewableResources

ReduceNeed

Fossil Fuel Buy andTransport

PRE Event Willingness to Pay for Resource Options(median response)

CPL

SWEPCO

WTU

EL PASO

HL&P

ENT

SPS

TU

$0.00

$1.00

$2.00

$3.00

$4.00

$5.00

$6.00

$7.00

RenewableResources

ReduceNeed

Fossil Fuel Buy andTransport

POST Event Willingness to Pay for Resource Options(median response)

CPL

SWEPCO

WTU

EL PASO

HL&P

ENT

SPS

TU

Utility Deliberative Poll

2003 “By the people” Online Deliberative Poll

Percent supporting requiring cleaner electricityproduction, even if it means higher rates

46%56%

Before After

2003 “By the people” Online Deliberative Poll

Percent saying that human activity is cause of global warming

63%72%

Before After

Illustrative Preference Changes

Average of 8 Utility Deliberative Polls Time 1 Time 2

Percentage willing to pay more to reduce the 43% 73%need for electricity (demand side management)

43%

73%

Time 1 Time 2

What has been the impact of these eight Deliberative Polls on

Energy Policy in Texas?

While Texas utilities were still regulated, Deliberative Polls prompted the construction of multiple wind farms including the second largest array of windmills in America.

As a direct consequence of these Deliberative Polls, when Texas utilities were deregulated in 1999, a Renewable Portfolio Standard was included in legislation restructuring utilities. “The state of Texas estimates that more megawatts of renewable energy came on-line as a result of the RPS program than has in the past 100 years. After the RPS was implemented, Texas wind corporations and utilities invested $1 billion in wind power, creating jobs, adding to the Texas Permanent School Fund and increasing the rural tax base. The RPS was so successful that its 10-year goal was met in just over six years. Wind power development has more than quadrupled since 1999”. Texas currently leads America in wind power production. http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/

re_rps-portfolio.htm